Unit 2 Project 02 Temporal and Time Based Art
I Want To Believe.
Growing up, My father told me the aliens put us here on earth. My catholic mother told me it was god. This has always created a huge fracture within my identity, and how I view religion. This instillation brings up the concepts of Believing vs Knowing, and Need vs Want. It also explores the possibility that God was an astronaut.
I have had an ‘I Want To Believe’ poster for years. It is just like the one from Fox Mulder’s office in the TV show: The X-Files (1993). I was obsessed with that show. My sister, her friend, and I would watch it every Thursday night religiously. The UFO photograph used in the poster was taken by Billy Meier. The Network never did get proper clearance to use the photo and after 10 years received an intellectual property lawsuit and had to change the poster. I used a similar copy of that poster which is widely distributed across the internet. I reformatted it also into a black and white poster with ”I Need To Know” text.
I was lucky when I went into Staples it was fairly empty. The man behind the desk was able to give me a quick tutorial on how to enlarge the pages. I printed 17 color I Want To Believe, 8 black and white I Need To Know, and 1 The Truth Is Out There. (Another reference to the X Files) that I decided I wanted to go in the very middle. I have this massive old shed on 13th street. It made the perfect backdrop for this installation.
I decided on 5 rows of 5. The black and white posters would form an X surrounded by the colored posters. The next day was sunny. I found the staple gun and staples, and found the ladder. I started with the Middle X and added two above and two below. this formed the main spine. I then worked from the middle to the left, then moved the ladder and worked the middle to the right. Many trips up and down that ladder.
The very first night my assemblage was up, 2 posters were taken. They were the lowest, most reachable. Someone scored some cool public art. a couple of days later we had a rainstorm. the next day 11 posters were gone. I did find a few soggy ones in the street, but knowing my neighbourhood I think more were taken down. A man with mental illness walked by the other afternoon raving about aliens and satan. I went down to Staples and had some more copies made to replace the missing ones.
I created a public event on Facebook. I invited people to come take a picture and post to the group. There is also open discussions about aliens and ufo’s. The Flying Spaghetti Monster was even represented!
The truth is out there…
Statement of Intent
My main intent was to create a dialogue around the existence of Aliens. To understand the difference between Believe and Knowledge, and Need and Want.
I used a computer program to format my two posters. I then went down to the local copy centre and enlarged them onto 11×17 inch paper.
I wanted to create this as a homage to my dad. I alway think of him around November 1st (The Day f the Dead) This artwork is a large part of my identity as I do not believe in god. My dad told me the Aliens seeded us here on earth. He died before the Alien Astronaut Theory became popular.
I wanted Viewers to know that they are not alone in these thoughts. The group on Facebook has prompted interesting conversations about what people believe and have experienced.
Keep searching until you find your answers…